I believe he would have been allowed to breed in New Zealand as his genetic line isn't present in their region. But not in Europe. I wonder if we might see another transfer at a later date so that Paira Daiza can have babies with a different male.
Lowland Gorillas in Europe 2022
- Thread starter luskywalker
- Start date
That makes sense, although I thought the Australasian zoos were part of the European program.
It would've been best to place him in a bachelor group originally imo. Are these specific females well represented? I doubt they'd put some unrepresented females into a situation with a silverback who's not able to breed with them. Especially as there's so much other silverbacks to chose from.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Pertinax following on from your last post,have Chessington stopped Breeding Gorillas? This would be positive if so. Chessington have been told the Gorilla enclosure is too small. Chessington are currently building a Land called Project Amazon. It’s highly likely to be Themed around Jumanji. The plans indicated that real Animals could be included. I wouldn’t be surprised if this area has a Gorilla enclosure. If Chessington have stopped breeding I would like Damasi to move to London Zoo.
Prague- this week the gorilla group moved to their new accomodation, at least some of them did...the three females Kamba, Shinda and Kijivu+ Shinda's son Ajabu. The two older males Nuru and Kiburi remain with their father Richard in the old enclosure. The decision to remove Richard from the females seems to have been rather a last-minute one following advice from the EEP coordinator, and based on Richard's genetic over-representation. It will allow a new male + one additional female to join the female group in the near future and further breeding will then be allowed.
Splitting Richard from his females has proved hugely unpopular with regular Prague Zoo visitors. Many are very upset and have taken to social media to criticise this decision, the discussions have been heated and consequently the zoo released a long statement explaining the situation and the reasons behind the decision. But few of Richard's 'fans' will be taking comfort from that I'm sure.
Splitting Richard from his females has proved hugely unpopular with regular Prague Zoo visitors. Many are very upset and have taken to social media to criticise this decision, the discussions have been heated and consequently the zoo released a long statement explaining the situation and the reasons behind the decision. But few of Richard's 'fans' will be taking comfort from that I'm sure.
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The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Well, it would seem that way- they don't want any more babies at present. If the new one is female that's fine but if its another male it will no doubt be castrated like the older two males there, so it won't be such a happy mistake.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
If Chessington/EEP don't want more young from the Frankfurt Richard/Damisi/Akili line (these are all offspring of male Matz) there would be no point in sending Damisi to another zoo like London. Better just to halt breeding.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Adult silverbacks are never castrated, the operation is only done on animals in the 3-6 year old age bracket. Castrated males don't develop like a silverback, they look like large females but often leaner and longer-legged.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Pertinax (The Ape Expert) this sounds like the opposite of a Female given male hormones. Tebe a Female Gorilla at Howeletts was given hormones as a juvenile. She now resembles a Silverback. Tbh she looks like a Silverback more so than actual Silverbacks.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
To allow them to stay in their family groups at maturity, as their father or other silverback will not see them as a rival. There are now so many surplus males and not enough male groups. It is only done to males from very well represented genetic lines that will never be required for breeding.
I don't really think Tebe looks like a silverback but she did used to behave like a male certainly and some people mistook her for a silverback, though she is female-sized. But after she finally had babies she quietened down and became more typically female.
Thanks for the update @Pertinax.
I’m surprised to hear Richard has been removed from the group. I’d assumed this quartet (and Ajabu) would be retired off together given Kamba is non reproductive; Shinda may well be unable to conceive more offspring; and Kijivu is from well represented paternal and maternal lines and has four direct living descendants.
Presumably the new breeding troop will centre around the imported 1.1 gorillas with Shinda also allowed to breed if she’s able to. Her maternal line is less represented than her half sister’s and she has no reproductively viable descendants.
Whilst I believe Chessington will look to improve upon the current gorilla exhibits I doubt whether the animal exhibit within the Project Amazon (2023) referred to on earlier post here has any connection. Damisi is the silverback for the onshow troop and at this time there is absolutely no reason to move him or castrate him as some posters suggest,
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@tennisfan a planning application said that real animals maybe incorporated into Project Amazon. Normally I wouldn’t expect animals to be located with rides. Chessington however isn’t your usual Zoo or Theme Park. For example people would’ve found putting Tigers next to a Long Flume far fetched. Despite this we have Land Of The Tigers.Chessington likes to be different. As Chessington are building new Gorilla and Lion enclosures in tandem with Project Amazon,they could be linked. If the rumours about Project Amazon being Themed to Jumanji are true,both Lions and Gorillas would fit in. I believe thease species will be part of Project Amazon (Jumanji Land). I would advocate having Gorillas and Lions in Project Amazon. Of course this depends whether the welfare of both species can be met. In my opinion the Animals come before Humans in this instance.